NEC Electronics' Certified Wireless USB Device Wire Adapter Chip Integrated into IOGEAR's Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit |
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NEC Electronics
2880 Scott Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA, 95050
USA
Press release date: September 18, 2007
Agreement Helps Drive Industry Adoption of Certified Wireless USB Standards
SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 18 / -- NEC Electronics America, Inc., today announced that its Certified Wireless USB device wire adapter (DWA) chip, the uPD720180, has been integrated into a Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit (GUWH104KIT) from IOGEAR, Inc., a leading connectivity manufacturer. One of the first products to achieve certification from the USB Implementers Forum, Inc. (USB-IF), NEC Electronics' DWA chip makes it easy and economical for designers to implement the relay of signals between wired USB peripherals and computers or consumer electronics products based on Certified Wireless USB technology. The uPD720180 DWA chip provides a wireless hub function that allows users to connect wirelessly up to 127 USB 2.0 devices to the host computer, enabling easy configuration for different user requirements.
The Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit from IOGEAR (http://www.iogear.com/) enables residential and small office/home office (SOHO) users to wirelessly transfer files and data at speeds up to 480 megabits per second (Mbps). The hub has four USB 2.0 ports and can associate with up to three different laptop or desktop computers through Wireless USB adapters. It also can connect to wired USB devices such as printers, scanners, MP3 players and external hard drives. The adapter plugs into a computer and wirelessly communicates with the hub, which users can place up to 30 feet away.
"Certified products such as our new Hub and Adapter Kit are critical for Wireless USB to achieve the mainstream adoption levels seen with wired USB. To do so, finding the right partner to help develop and build our product base is paramount," said Sampson Yang, CEO of IOGEAR, Inc. "We are impressed with NEC Electronics America's level of product quality and customer support and look forward to working with them to further expand the Certified Wireless USB base."
The uPD720180 DWA chip also functions as a wired hub, which provides stable bandwidth through a USB 2.0 cable. This dual capability allows users to set and switch connectivity options to best fit their needs, whether at home or on the go. The chip also features an automatic connection function that "wakes up" the hub at established intervals to search and connect automatically when associated hosts are found. Previous Wireless USB hubs required a connection button or switch for this purpose.
"NEC Electronics' uPD720180 DWA chip offers several unique and versatile functions such as automatic connection, automatic switching between wireless and wired hub connections, and easy connection to multiple hosts, which enable greater flexibility for devices such as IOGEAR's Wireless USB hub," said Kats Nakazawa, general manager, digital consumer and connectivity strategic business unit, NEC Electronics America. "By collaborating with industry leaders such as IOGEAR, NEC Electronics America continues to provide consumers with advanced technologies and reliable, compatible products that support an on-the-go lifestyle,"
NEC Electronics America will exhibit the uPD720180 DWA chip in the Certified Wireless USB Community, booth number 925, at the Intel Developer Forum, September 18-20, at Moscone Center West in San Francisco.
Capabilities of Certified Wireless USB
Certified Wireless USB technology, developed by the USB-IF, is an extension to the current USB 2.0 standard that has been hailed as the next-generation interface for computers and multimedia consumer electronics. Certified Wireless USB technology delivers data transfer rates up to 480 Mbps, comparable to wired USB 2.0 connections, with a maximum wireless communication range of up to 10 meters. Unwiring the cable connection frees users from having to make cumbersome and unsightly wired connections to enjoy high-speed data access and allows users to connect their devices freely wherever they want to use them. Certified Wireless USB technology will make it possible to expand the range of applications for computers and digital entertainment devices and encourage the discovery of new ways to enjoy digital media. NEC Electronics has played a central role in making the current USB 2.0 standard one of the most successful interfaces in the history of personal computing. Along with Intel Corporation and other industry leaders, NEC Electronics is a core member of the USB-IF, which developed and supports the USB specification. Since launching volume production of USB 2.0 devices in 2000, NEC Electronics has shipped an industry-leading 100 million units.
More information about NEC Electronics' Certified Wireless USB products can be found at http://necel.com/cwusb/en/index.html.
Pricing and Availability
NEC Electronics America's uPD720180 DWA chip is available now. IOGEAR's Wireless USB Hub and Adapter Kit is priced at $199.95 (MSRP) and is available immediately from all major catalog and online resellers, as well as selected retail outlets. The kit comes with a three-year warranty. (Pricing and availability are subject to change.)
About NEC Electronics America, Inc.
NEC Electronics America, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of NEC Electronics Corporation , a leading provider of semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the broadband and communications markets; system solutions for the mobile, PC, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of consumer applications. NEC Electronics America offers local manufacturing in Roseville, California, and the global manufacturing capabilities of its parent company. In the Americas, NEC Electronics America markets and sells industrial-type active-matrix LCDs from NEC LCD Technologies, Ltd., a global leader in innovative display technologies. More information about the products offered by NEC Electronics America can be found at http://www.am.necel.com/.
Source: NEC Electronics America, Inc.
CONTACT: Press, Denise Garibaldi of NEC Electronics America, Inc., +1-408-588-6620, denise.garibaldi@am.necel.com; or Shannon Jamison of Porter Novelli, +1-415-975-2204, shannon.jamison@porternovelli.com
Web site: http://www.necel.com/ http://www.iogear.com/
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